LGD 4033 is allegedly the most potent SARM on the market. It’s currently being developed to improve recovery from hip fractures, while its unofficial use remains popular among bodybuilders and those seeking appearance enhancement. Among all the hype, read our unbiased review to understand what the actual science says about its potential uses.
LGD 4033 is a fairly new oral selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). SARMs have received a lot of attention recently, both in the medical community and among people who are seeking physical performance and appearance enhancement. Scientists are exploring the ways SARMs could be used to overcome muscle wasting and bone diseases.
LGD 4033 is also known as Ligandrol and Anabolicum. LGD 4033 is among the two most popular SARMs when it comes to bodybuilding, MK-2866 (Ostarine) being the other.
Like all SARMs, LGD 4033 binds to androgen receptors in the muscles and bones with high affinity and selectivity. Because of this, scientists hypothesize that LGD 4033 shouldn’t affect other organs (sparing the liver, prostate, and sebaceous glands) or cause severe suppression of your natural testosterone production. Being nonsteroidal, LGD 4033 shouldn’t be converted to estrogen either; these hypotheses are purely speculative, however, and lacking in clinical data.
LGD-4033 was well tolerated. There were no drug-related serious adverse events. Frequency of adverse events was similar between active and placebo groups. Hemoglobin, prostate-specific antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, or QT intervals did not change significantly at any dose. LGD-4033 had a long elimination half-life and dose-proportional accumulation upon multiple dosing.
LGD-4033 administration was associated with dose-dependent suppression of total testosterone, sex hormone–binding globulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. follicle-stimulating hormone and free testosterone showed significant suppression at 1.0-mg dose only. Lean body mass increased dose dependently, but fat mass did not change significantly. Hormone levels and lipids returned to baseline after treatment discontinuation.
LGD-4033 was safe, had favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and increased lean body mass even during this short period without change in prostate-specific antigen. Longer randomized trials should evaluate its efficacy in improving physical function and health outcomes in select populations.
Concerns about potential adverse effects of testosterone on prostate have motivated the development of selective androgen receptor modulators that display tissue-selective activation of androgenic signaling. LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal, oral selective androgen receptor modulator, binds androgen receptor with high affinity and selectivity.
SARMs can selectively navigate to muscles and bones. They activate androgen receptors but are chemically different from steroids. As such,they are not substrates for 5 alpha-reductase or CYP19 aromatase, which prevents their conversion to the testosterone metabolite DHT or estrogen.
The first generation SARMs (developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals and including LGD 4033) had a modest but undeniable effect on lean body mass gains. The second generation of SARMs we are yet to see might be even more potent and selective—but, again, this is highly speculative until better-quality research is conducted.
Scientists are trying to understand what makes some SARMs better than others in the hopes of discovering safer and more selective drugs. Ongoing LGD 4033 research should give us additional clues in the near future.
Like all SARMs, LGD-4033 is thought to bind to androgen receptors in the muscles and bones, but its effectiveness, selectiveness, and safety remain unknown.
Metabolism: LGD-4033 was safe and well tolerated over the range of doses that were evaluated over a 3-week period. Even during this short treatment period, there was clear evidence of the compound’s androgenic activity, as reflected in the increase in LBM, and significant suppression of testosterone, sex hormone–binding globulin, and HDL cholesterol levels. In spite of demonstrable androgenic activity, serum prostate-specific antigen did not change significantly.
Absorption: Well absorbed following parenteral administration.
Route of elimination: Urinary excretion
Half life: LGD-4033 had a long elimination half-life and dose-proportional accumulation upon multiple dosing. LGD-4033 administration was associated with dose-dependent suppression of total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. follicle-stimulating hormone and free testosterone showed significant suppression at 1.0-mg dose only. Lean body mass increased dose dependently, but fat mass did not change significantly. Hormone levels and lipids returned to baseline after treatment discontinuation.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Some medical conditions may interact with Ligandrol.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
The most commonly reported side effects are: suppression of naturally produced testosterone (for men), migraine and episodes of severe dry mouth.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
